HI guys! Zoé Isabel here. Book 1 is about to end. This chapter is kinda surprising but this is how i planned it to be. I hope you like it and tell me what you think about it. Enjoy! 

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REX's POV

It's been almost a month since that day and I still couldn't forget about it. I couldn't fathom why Mr. Novell tried that move on me. Did he really think that I would accept his money?

Yes, I admit that I've never seen such amount of money my entire life because I grew up in a poor family where my mother was the only one who tried everything she could to put decent food on our table and buy me clothes and as I grow up, I knew the importance of every centime in my pocket. Every centime counts. But even after I finished my degree and found a job, I've never earn an amount near that money Mason showed me.

If I was a selfish and money-hungry person, I would've accepted that money because I knew that it would be enough for me to have a better life than what I already have. I could even use it to finally find my sister. But no! I am not that kind of person because I love someone and my love for her is unparalleled. Just thinking that I would lose Ellie because of that money was already breaking my heart.

Why would I choose money over her? Money can't give me happiness. She's my happiness...

I could still remember what happened that day...

"You're one lucky guy, you know? Mr. Novell told me that if you're not satisfied with this amount, just say so and he'll give you more. Just say the word and he'll double it or even triple it. Just accept this and your life will be better for sure" My fists tightened upon hearing him say that.

All the amount that he was saying was overwhelming for me and if that's the only thing that mattered for me, it would've accepted it right away. But as they say, money isn't always the answer to every problem because there are other things which are far more important than any amount of money could buy and for me was Ellie. Yes, my querida is priceless for me and I would never exchange her for any amount of money in the world.

I didn't love her from afar for years just to give her up just like that. Now that she's finally noticed me and she's finally mine, I would never let her go whatever happens.

From the moment I realized that I loved her until now, the love I have for her is getting stronger with each passing day. She's such an amazing woman and she's the best thing that ever happened to me.

I love her not because she's rich but because she's such a wonderful person. She completes me and I'm sure that she feels the same way as I do.

"So? What's your decision, Rex?" The impatient voice of Mason pulled me out of my reverie. I huffed and then stood up from my seat and strode my way towards the door. He followed me with his curious gaze. I opened the door.

"I don't want to be rude but you can leave now" I said with an emotionless face. Based from his reaction, he was surprised of what I've said.

"Are you sure about this? Mr. Novell is already giving you a once in a life time opportunity to have this amount of money without doing anything other than asking for a simple thing and that's for you to break-up with his granddaughter" I gritted my teeth because of the rising anger inside of me.

"What Ellie and I have is more worthy than any amount of money out there" He smirked and then looked at me insultingly.

"Oh, c'mon, Rex. Are you declining this amount because you want to be part of their family instead? Well, you're smart, I'll give you that. What's this amount compared to the wealth of the Novell's, right?" My fists tightened even more and it took me all my willpower not to punch the guy in front of me until he stops breathing.

I didn't know where he got this kind of thinking about me. He doesn't even know me that much!

"Get out and don't ever come back here. Get that money out of here and tell Mr. Novell that I would never leave Ellie whatever happens. As long as she wants me beside her, I will never leave her. That's how much I love her" Mason stood up while still smirking tauntingly. But instead of getting the briefcase, he left it on top of the coffee table.

He was about to go out of the door when I spoke.

"I told you that I would never accept that money. Take it back with you---"

"Mr. Novell was expecting this to happen and he told me that in case you decline, I'd leave the money with you to let you think about it before you make a final decision. It's not good to be hasty in decision-making, you know? Anyway, I'll come back again when I'm already sure that you're thinking clearly to make a decision" I was about to open my mouth to tell him not to waste his breath and just take the money when he got out of the door and left quickly.

I've tried to return the money to Mr. Novell after that but I haven't seen him after that. Martine told me that he went to Paris to visit Ellie's mom and then after that, he went to Spain for an important matter.

Since I started working here at the ranch, this was the first time that he was gone for a long time and I'm already getting impatient of waiting. I wanted to talk to him since the moment Mason talked to me but I've never seen him since that day.

I looked at the briefcase again and then I heaved a sigh. I shook my head. I didn't know what their purpose of leaving this money to me up to this day but I didn't have a good feeling about this that's why I wanted to return it as soon as possible.

I tried searching for Mason too but Martine told me that he's on-leave because Mr. Novell isn't here.

I turned my phone on and then looked at Ellie and I's picture which is my wallpaper. I missed her already. It's been almost a month since we saw each other and even though we talked everyday on the phone, being together in person is way better.

According to her, her mother was already recovering.

I couldn't help but to dial her number. I wanted to hear her voice again.

"Hello" I couldn't help but smile upon hearing her sweet voice. No matter how down I was, just hearing her voice always makes me feel fine.

"Hi, querida. I miss you" She chuckled softly.

"Really? Even though we talk to each other on the phone everyday?" She teased. I sighed.

"You know that's not enough, querida. I want to kiss and hug you already"

"You have your pillows, right? Just hug them for now" I laughed.

"Aw. But they're not you" I sighed again. I was about to continue talking when she spoke.

"Querido...."

"Yes?"

"Ahm. I have something to tell you but not here on the phone. I want us to discuss about this when we see each other. I'll be arriving there on Friday night" My eyebrows creased.

"Is it something important? You sound serious" She became silent for a moment before I heard her took a deep breath.

"Yes. This is important. Very important" I didn't know why but she sounded weird and it made me feel restless and nervous.

"Okay. See you on friday then, querida. Anyway, how's your mom now?" I asked, changing the topic because I felt like she doesn't want us to continue talking about it for now.

"She's fine now. She's been insisting on going back to work but Angela and I opposed it. Thank God, my sister stayed with us the whole time while mom's still recovering because she never listens to me" I chuckled.

"Hmmm...You would have been fine even if she's not there with you. Knowing you, you're such an amazing woman. You're patient and loving too that's why your mom is lucky to have you as her daughter"

"You're really such a flatterer, you know that?"

"Not really. I'm just telling the truth though"

"Okay. Thank you for the compliment then"

"You're welcome, querida" I answered. We talked for a couple of minutes more before we ended the call.

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ELLIE's POV

I heaved a sigh and then bit my lower lip. I didn't know what to think about everything that's been happening to me this past weeks. I felt so confused. I wanted to tell everything to Rex the other day while we were talking on the phone but I just couldn't tell about it to him on the phone. I wanted to be with him in person when that time comes so that I could see what his reaction would be.

"Are you okay?" I was pulled out of my reverie when I heard my sister's concern voice. We're currently inside her room and she's in the middle of packing her clothes because she's going to follow Hunter, her boyfriend, in Greece.

"Huh? What made you ask me that?" She shrugged her shoulders.

"You've been spacing out since a while ago and you look like you have something that's been bothering you. I noticed that since last week" I became silent for a couple of seconds. I didn't know that she noticed that.

My eyes went to her baby bump. A couple of months more and she's going to give birth. I heaved a sigh and then forced a smile. I didn't want her to be worried about me. I knew that she's happy now because she finally accepted Hunter back in her life not to mention that she has a baby on the way.

I'm happy for her because she found her true love and she looks happy and contented and that's what matters to me.

"You're just imagining things, Ange. I'm fine. Don't worry about me" I said with an enthusiastic voice, trying to be happy in front of her. But she looked like she didn't buy it because her eyebrows knitted together instead while looking at me intently. She stopped what she was doing and then sat next to me.

"Ellie, you've always been there beside me since we were young and I know you like the back of my hand. You're my sister after all. Through thick and thin, we've always supported and became each other's rescue. We were always been honest to each other. I'll be leaving again tomorrow and I don't want to leave you in this state. Why don't you tell me about what's bothering you now? Maybe I can help" She held my hand while staring at me tenderly. I took a deep breath.

I was torn between telling her about everything but something was telling me that this wasn't the right moment yet. I haven't even told her and Regan about the arranged marriage yet. Even my relationship with Rex, they're still unaware about it until now. Yes, I felt guilty because I've been hiding a lot of things from them and I felt like it wasn't right anymore.

I felt like I've been keeping too much and my chest felt so heavy already. Now, I have another thing going on and I badly needed someone to talk to.

"Ange---" I was about to begin telling her everything when someone knocked at the door.

"It's open. Come in" Ange said with a loud voice. The door opened and it was our mother.

"Mom? You should be resting by now. What are you doing here?" Angela asked worriedly. Mom rolled her eyes.

"I'm fine. You're being too worrywart, Angelique. I'm just here to say good night to the both of you" She kissed Angela on the forehead and then did the same to me.

"Don't stay up too late, mes chéries. Bonne nuit" She said and then went back to her room.

"What were you saying a while ago?" Angela asked when mom left the room. I smiled faintly.

"Nothing. I was about to tell you that you don't have to worry about me because I'm fine" She stared at me like she wasn't convinced at all. I laughed at the expression on her face.

"Ange, you know me. I'm strong and mature enough to handle my own problems" Yeah, sure...

"Are you sure? I can stay for a couple of days more if you need someone to talk to" She offered. I shook my head.

"No. I'm fine. Just follow Hunter in Greece. I know how much you've been missing him. Don't worry because I can still handle it. I'll tell about it to you when I'm ready"

"Okay. Just call me if you need me and 'I'll come here" I chuckled and then nodded my head.

After that, I helped her pack her things before we retired for the night. I slept in her room and we talked about random things like always. I always do that everytime she's going somewhere before. But tonight's different because I knew that she would be staying in Greece for a long time for sure because the love of her life is living there and I knew that soon, they would be getting married and start a family. She would never stay in this house again like before.

The morning after that, she left the house and flew to Greece. Henry and I dropped her off at the airport before I went to school.

I was about to enter the classroom when my phone rang. It was Martine. My eyebrows furrowed.

"Yes, Martine?"

"Ellie..." My eyebrows creased upon hearing her voice.

"What happened, Martine? You sound worried over something"

"Ellie, something happened here" My heart pounded in my chest upon hearing that. I suddenly had the feeling that something bad happened. My hand tightened around my phone. I took a deep breath to calm myself down before answering.

"W-What happened?"

"Your papy came home last night and then he noticed that his vault was open and was already empty. Someone took all the money and even the precious jewelries that he's been keeping in there" I gasped for air.

"What?! Who took it? Did someone barge in inside the house?"

"I don't know. We didn't notice anything weird. Eveything was silent and calm last night. Your papy is so furious and he ordered everyone to be investigated here at the ranch" I was about to answer when I suddenly felt nauseous. My hand went to my forehead. I felt like my head suddenly spun in a very fast speed that I almost lose my balance.

"I-I'll be coming over tomorrow. Tell papy about it. I need to go now, Martine. I have a class" I said as I leaned against the wall and then closed my eyes. I was sweating coldly. I didn't know why but I felt like something was about to happen and I felt worried about Rex.

I felt the urge to see him as soon as possible. Thankfully, I was really planning on going there tomorrow.

Then the morning after that, I took the earliest flight to Lyon. I didn't know why I felt so anxious and restless. I felt like something was about to explode in front of me that I couldn't pinpoint.

When I arrived at the ranch, I quickly went out of the car and was about to strode my way to the front door when I suddenly heard a gunshot and judging from the sound of it, it came from inside the house.

My heart palpitated as it beat so hard and fast. I felt like my heart was already in my throat. I couldn't move my body right away because of fear. But when I gathered myself together, I ran as fast as I could and entered the house.

I didn't see anyone in the first floor so I went upstairs. I saw that the door in my grandfather's room was open so I quickly went there and what I saw almost killed me instantly. Tears pooled in my eyes as my feet glued on the floor. I felt like all the life got drained out of me. It was a terrible sight.

I wish that I didn't come and see all this because it's too much! I shook my head as my brain couldn't accept what I was seeing. I wished that I was only dreaming but everything's real.

In front of me was the love of my life, holding a gun while my grandfather was already lying on the floor full of blood. My body went numb and everything suddenly became blurry until darkness consumed me...

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What do you think happened between Rex and Mr. Novell at the last part of this chapter? Hmm...

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